BART Board approves transbay late night bus pilot program

BART Board approves transbay late night bus pilot program

*** For the latest information on the late night bus pilot program, click here.

On Thursday, October 9th, The BART Board of Directors approved a plan to partner with AC Transit to provide extra bus service between San Francisco and the East Bay on Friday and Saturday nights during the overnight hours when BART trains are not running. The one year pilot program could launch as early as December 2014.

Late Night Bus Pilot Program Details

BART secured $796,000 in funds to conduct the pilot project targeted to those who rely on transit to get to and from work in the late night and early morning hours. A portion of the funds ($496,000) is from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) “Lifeline” program which provides funding for transit services and programs for low income and disadvantaged residents. BART contributed $200,000 from its operating budget and $100,000 is expected from fares from the service.

“These extra buses will provide more frequent and expanded service to those who rely on transit when BART isn’t in service,” said Director Raburn. "This pilot program is part of a larger effort to seek ways to offer the public more options during the overnight hours."

BART is not able to operate trains during the overnight hours because it lacks extra tracks to run trains on while essential overnight track maintenance takes place to keep the rails safe and reliable.

AC Transit would operate the late night bus service which will expand on their existing routes 800 (San Francisco to Richmond BART) and 801 (downtown Oakland to Fremont BART) and will add a new line serving Pittsburg/Bay Point BART. The plan also extends the service in San Francisco to 24th Street/Mission.

Here’s how it will work:

Current AC Transit fares will apply to the service, which includes $4.20 for Transbay trips and $2.10 for local trips. Senior, youth and other discounts will apply and passes will be honored. Fares can be paid using Clipper or cash.

Existing AC Transit route 800 (San Francisco to Richmond BART)

From 12:30am to 2:30am, frequency will be improved from 30 minutes to 20 minutes

Route will start at 24th Street/Mission (instead of Market Street/Van Ness Ave) on all runs- not just added runs

From 1am to 2am, three runs on a new “822 express” route will be added with 30 minute headways

Route will start at 24th street/Mission in San Francisco and make stops at 16th Street/Mission, Market/Van Ness Ave (transfer point for Muni Owl lines), Civic Center, Powell Street, Montgomery Street, Embarcadero, and Howard St/Beale St. in San Francisco, 14th St. /Broadway and Rockridge in Oakland, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Pittsburg/Bay Point.

Late Night Transportation Survey

BART is an active member of the San Francisco Late Night Transportation Working Group which is studying options and the transportation needs of workers, residents and visitors who travel through San Francisco between midnight and 5am.

The working group is conducting a survey to better understand late night transportation needs. The short survey is live through October 12, 2014.